What is an au apair?
The title comes from the French term au pair, meaning "on a par" or "equal to", indicating that the relationship is intended to be one of equals: the au pair is intended to become a member of the family, albeit a temporary one, rather than a domestic servant.
An au pair placement is an arrangement where a young woman or man lives for up to two years in a foreign country as a member of a local family, helping in the home for a set number of hours a day helping looking after the children in the family, often with at least two full days off per week. In return, they receive an allowance, experience in another culture, and a private room.
Becoming an au pair
A typical day in the life of an au pair
For every child their week will look different, as all schools have different timetables and a great number of children have extracurricular activities during the day and after school. The example below is to give you a rough idea of what your week will look like.
9am-4pm: Your free time.
4pm-8:30pm: Pick up the children from school, accompany them to extracurricular activities, if applicable, or bring them home. Engage them in activities, help them with homework, assist with baths and prepare dinner.
The title comes from the French term au pair, meaning "on a par" or "equal to", indicating that the relationship is intended to be one of equals: the au pair is intended to become a member of the family, albeit a temporary one, rather than a domestic servant.
An au pair placement is an arrangement where a young woman or man lives for up to two years in a foreign country as a member of a local family, helping in the home for a set number of hours a day helping looking after the children in the family, often with at least two full days off per week. In return, they receive an allowance, experience in another culture, and a private room.
Becoming an au pair
A typical day in the life of an au pair
For every child their week will look different, as all schools have different timetables and a great number of children have extracurricular activities during the day and after school. The example below is to give you a rough idea of what your week will look like.
- Monday to Friday, except Wednesdays
9am-4pm: Your free time.
4pm-8:30pm: Pick up the children from school, accompany them to extracurricular activities, if applicable, or bring them home. Engage them in activities, help them with homework, assist with baths and prepare dinner.
- (Horror) Wednesdays
- Weekends
